How to sum up a lifetime of love and kindness? Sandy saw the best in everyone, always playing devil’s advocate and looking for the fundamental goodness within. Through cancer treatments and illness, pain and suffering, she tried to keep a smile on her face. Indeed, many people from the treatment centers to the hospice staff commented on what a beautiful smile she had – to the very end.
Sandy was born in Chicago, grew up in Hammond, and was a graduate of Bishop Noll Institute, class of ’66. In 1985, she graduated from IUN and spent the next thirty years working as a RN, the majority of those years in the operating room.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gloria (McDonald) Fleming and Arthur “Scotty” Fleming, as well as her beloved little sister, Sheryl. She is survived by her only daughter, Amy; bonus son, Louie; brother Scott; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Particularly precious to her are her sister’s children: Eric, Michael, Heather, Amber, Brittany and Courtney. She loved them all with everything she had.
She was the best mother a daughter could ask for and sacrificed so much to make sure her only child, Amy, always had everything she needed (and later, her three youngest nieces, the ABCs). As was her way, she made those sacrifices without ever making it seem like she was giving anything up.
She will be remembered for her kindness, for the love she had for those around her (with a special love for animals), for her love of anything sparkly and bedazzled, and her love of the holidays and how she enjoyed taking the kids for rides around decorated neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights.
She passed away at home in Crown Point with her daughter at her side. A memorial for family will be held in December. Condolences can be sent to: 1610 W. 99th Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307
